Tigers coach Fuente upbeat on young running backs

He'll shuffle his running backs in and, at times, employ a two-back set. University of Memphis football coach Justin Fuente understands his running game must be effective when the Tigers (0-4) open Conference USA play Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium against Rice.

What makes that priority especially challenging is not having junior Jerrell Rhodes in the mix. The team's starting running back left the squad last week to handle a personal matter and Fuente doesn't expect the Durham, N.C., native to return this season. That leaves the ground game to junior college transfer Jai Steib, 5-7 walk-on Jaquise Cook, redshirt freshman Carl Harris and junior college transfer Brandon Hayes, a former White Station High star.

None of the four has the experience Rhodes had, but Fuente is expecting the group to handle the increased workload.

"I need for them to give me their best at their particular skill set," Fuente said. "I need Jai to be the best Jai can be: a tough, inside runner with great pad level and great ball security (awareness). Each guy just needs to do his job.

"They all have different strengths and different weaknesses. I need them to capitalize on their strengths."

In his three appearances this season, Rhodes rushed for 224 yards. Steib, Cook, Harris and Hayes have combined for 168 yards in 10 appearances with the longest run among the foursome a late-game 19-yarder by Hayes in a 38-14 loss at Duke two weeks ago.

Fuente hasn't been averse to using his receivers in the running game. Marcus Rucker, Tevin Jones and Keiwone Malone have carries this season and Jones has a short touchdown run, scoring from 2 yards on a sweep against Duke.

Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Darrell Dickey was disappointed in the team's inability to run in the loss to Duke, particularly after he felt the offense had been making strides.

"We took a pretty huge step backward," Dickey said. "And, more than anywhere else, it was in the run game."

Dickey, the former North Texas coach, said missed assignments and other shortcomings led to the lack of production. Memphis was held to a season-low 71 rushing yards.

"We've got to do some things to get the running game stronger," Dickey said. "We are a good zone-blocking team, but we feel we may have to attack the perimeter more. If we can do that, it helps open up the running lanes inside."

Dickey would also like to see one of his running backs "get out in the open field and make a guy miss" en route to a lengthy gain. The Tigers haven't had a run of more than 28 yards in four games. The 28-yard run was by Rhodes.

"With (Rhodes) being gone, it motivates us," said Cook. "Some of the young guys have got to mature quicker. We've all got to play harder. We can't let (missing) one guy stop the show."

Cook started the season opener against UT Martin and gained 40 yards on nine carries. He'll be trying to convince the coaching staff to give him a heavier load.

"I would like to have five (running backs) that you are trying to find every single way to get the ball," Fuente said. "But our guys are young and they are developing. I've seen improvement and coach Dickey has done a great job with those guys bringing them along. I just don't know that it's going to be one of those situations where there'll be a bellcow (running back) and everyone else is giving that guy a rest."